IDB TO SUPPORT HALAL TOURISM IN W NUSA TENGGARA By Fardah
Jakarta,
May 23, 2016 (Antara) - President of the Islamic Development Bank (IDB)
Ahmad Mohamed Ali Al-Madani last April had a privilege to visit West
Nusa Tenggara (NTB) Province, which is known for its white sandy
beaches, crystal clear waters and scenic views.
Some 65 percent of the 4.7 million population of NTB lives in Lombok and up to 93 percent of them are Muslims. Lombok,
one of NTB's main islands, was adjudged the best halal tourism and
honeymoon destination during the World Halal Travel Awards 2015 held in
Abu Dhabi, the United Arab Emirates, in October last year. The event was
held in conjunction with the World Halal Travel Summit 2015.
The awards have instilled a sense of pride and optimism in the NTB
administration to promote its tourism attractions nationally and
internationally to lure more domestic and foreign tourists,
particularly Muslims, who want to enjoy halal or Shariah tourism.
The NTB tourism office has improved facilities and services for Muslim
tourists, for instance, by providing halal food and easy access to
facilities for Islamic prayers and other activities in accordance with
the Islamic laws (Shariah).
Located not far from Bali and having scenery not less beautiful than
Bali, NTB attracted 2.25 million tourists in 2012, 2.49 million in 2013,
and 2.51 million in 2014. The
NTB administration has set a target of attracting three million
tourists in 2016, and is expected to generate Rp750 billion in revenue
from tourism. Al-Madani said IDB strongly supports the halal tourism concept being developed in Indonesia and in NTB in particular. "The
Halal tourism industry has made significant progress lately,
particularly in Muslim majority countries and in member states of the
IDB," he remarked.
He also congratulated NTB for winning the World's Best Halal Tourism
Destination and the World's Best Halal Honeymoon Destination awards. The IDB chief recommended more Middle Eastern tourists to visit NTB.
Al-Madani said his visit to Indonesia was aimed at strengthening
partnership with the country, as a member of the IDB, and at supporting
economic growth and poverty alleviation through infrastructure
development. "Particularly
for NTB Province, this concerns a plan to develop maritime
infrastructure and Kayangan Port in North Lombok as a new global hub
city," he revealed.
Furthermore, Indonesian Finance Minister Bambang Brodjonegoro who was
in Mataram, NTB, with the IDB Chief, said on April 26 that he encouraged
the IDB to help finance the infrastructure development projects to
support the tourism industry in NTB.
"We want the IDB to finance the infrastructure development projects,
including the Mandalika special economic zone and the Kayangan global
hub," he noted. Accompanied
by NTB Governor TGH M. Zainul Majdi, the minister said the
infrastructure development projects were significant for the province's
tourism industry.
The central government supports the rapid development of the Mandalika
special economic zone on Lombok Island to meet the needs of tourists. Touching
on the government's plan to develop the North Lombok District area as a
global hub, he said the IDB was also expected to support the efforts to
develop this area as an international seaport, considering the
country's needs in its Archipelagic Sea Lanes (ALKI).
"Developing North Lombok District's areas is very important because the
Sunda Strait has become so crowded. Thus, we need to develop seaports,
oil refineries and logistics hubs in the areas," he said.
The Indonesian government has set a target to annually attract 20
million foreign tourists, and 275 million domestic tourists in the next
five years. The country hopes to earn up to Rp240 trillion in foreign
exchange and create 13 million jobs in the tourism industry.
The tourism sector has employed some 11 million people and contributed
foreign exchange worth around US$11 billion in the previous years. The government plans to develop 10 priority tourist destinations to help boost the country's economic growth.
Lombok is one of the 10 main tourist destinations, together with other
regions such as Lake Toba in North Sumatra, Flores in East Nusa
Tenggara, Raja Ampat in West Papua, Borobudur in Yogyakarta, and Mount
Bromo in Central Java. Located
just east of Bali, Lombok Island has been known as "the unspoiled Bali"
for its alluring white sandy beaches, waterfalls, the large looming
volcano of Mount Rinjani, and relatively few tourists.
The Senggigi beach, for instance, offers picturesque views of Mount
Agung on Bali Island to the west and stunning sunsets with the volcano
silhouetted on the horizon. (frd) At least 18 tourist vessels from various countries are scheduled to visit Lombok in the first half of the year.
"There are 18 cruise ships already scheduled . We hope there are
more in the second semester of the year," General Manager of the West
Lombok branch of state-owned port operator Pelindo III Baharuddin said
on May 23.
Last year , 26 cruise ships landed on the West Lombok port of Lambar
with 36,000 tourists from various countries, Baharuddin said. ***1*** (f001/H-YH)
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